U.S. Bank announced today a new card benefit on the Altitude Connect card to stay connected when traveling in over 125 countries with GigSky Global Mobile Data.
The Offer
- Get complimentary GigSky global mobile data for compatible devices with your U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card. Roam the world without data roaming charges with GigSky.
- With a complimentary 1 GB/15-Day global mobile data plan from GigSky on your eligible Visa card, you can enjoy fast and reliable internet access in over 125 countries. No more searching for Wi-Fi hotspots, buying expensive local SIM cards and paying overpriced roaming fees. On compatible eSim devices, simply connect with your eligible Visa card and you’re good to go.
The Fine Print
- Data available per complimentary plan: 1 GB
- Duration in which data can be used once plan is activated: 15 days once activated; if not activated within 30 days of receiving a complimentary plan, the plan will auto activate.
- Maximum annual redemptions of the GigSky Visa complimentary global mobile data plans annually: Annually, there is no maximum number of times a complimentary GigSky global mobile data plans can be redeemed. You must wait to activate another complimentary data plan until the prior plan’s 15-day duration has expired.
- Countries Available as part of GigSky complimentary data plan: Current list of 125+ countries participating
- Last date that offer can be redeemed on: 8/31/2024
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An eSIM—also known as an embedded SIM— is built straight into many modern smartphone devices. The eSIM makes it possible to add a secondary service, such as GigSky, to that phone. For a list of phones compatible with the GigSky app, visit: www.gigsky.com/device-compatibility.
Our Verdict
Sounds like a valuable new benefit for travelers. Hopefully it’s easy to use and connect.
Hat tip to wilsonhammer
I asked in a comment below, but I just got this card and I’ll be taking a 2 week vacation to Europe in April. Any reason I can’t activate this about 7 days before my trip so I’ll have 5 GB for the first 7 days and then activate it again when it expires so I’ll have 5GB for the next 7 days?
Used Gigsky in Tokyo this August and it worked really well. I thought this benefit would be one time only, but it sounds like this may be an ongoing benefit of the card, which would be huge. Hopefully the benefit continues long term.
No longer expires end of this month, it’s been extended to 11/15/25
https://www.gigsky.com/terms-of-service-u-s-bank
https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/altitude-connect-visa-signature-credit-card.html#footnote_region_ea5c
Posted, thanks https://www.doctorofcredit.com/major-changes-to-u-s-bank-altitude-connect-card/
The card has a $25.00 statement credit for ride hailing services. While not listed anywhere on the card/benefit details, that benefit is apparently capped at $100/year. No one could answer:
https://www.usbank.com/business-banking/business-credit-cards/business-altitude-connect-world-elite-mastercard.html
Experience:
Spent over an hour getting bounced around from one phone agent to the next, each one (including management) giving ‘not my job, go elsewhere’ responses. Thank you U.S.Bank for the reliable stellar phone center support.
I downloaded the app and on the log in screen it says certain Visa cards are eligible for free data. When you click on the list it looks like more are coming and for other countries as well.
You can see the list of other eligible cards here, and Connect is the only US card. https://www.gigsky.com/visa/visa-offer
If you timed this right, you could get 2GB for a single trip.
Eg: on an 8 day trip, activate 11 days before you leave, then your first 15 day benefit would run-out in the middle of the trip, allowing you to activate a second 15 day benefit.
Smart
Kind of interesting, but overseas service is already included in my Google Fi plan at no additional cost. I’ve found Fi to be the best option for frequent travelers in terms of price, flexibility, and coverage. Not sure how many people use both Fi and US Bank though.
One note to make for FI is you have to have the higher tier unlimited plan or the “Flexible” / Pay per gig plan for international usage to be covered though. The higher tier plan doesn’t always make sense for everyone.
Forgot that was even still a thing.
I pay $2 per GB with USMobile and you pay $10 with FI, so, yes, there is additional cost.
Nice! This is perfect timing of this benefit for my trip to India in November.
Would be great if they added to business version too.